Editing Alexios I Komnenos (section)

==Personal life==
[[File:Roundel of Alexios I Komnenos, Venice.jpg|thumb|Low relief depicting Alexios I, Campiello de Cà Angaran, [[Venice]], early 12th century.{{sfn|Hendy|1999|pp=147–148}}]]
During the last twenty years of his life Alexios lost much of his popularity.<ref>Norwich 1995, p. 54</ref> The years were marked by persecution of the followers of the [[Paulicianism|Paulician]] and [[Bogomilism|Bogomil]] heresies<ref>Finlay 1854, p. 81</ref>—one of his last acts was publicly to burn at the stake [[Basil the Physician|Basil]], a Bogomil leader, with whom he had engaged in a theological dispute.<ref name="EB1911"/><ref name="Kazhdan 1991, p. 1479" /> In spite of the success of the First Crusade, Alexios also had to repel numerous attempts on his territory by the Seljuqs in 1110–1117.<ref>Norwich 1995, p. 58</ref>

Alexios was for many years under the strong influence of an ''eminence grise'', his mother [[Anna Dalassene]], a wise and immensely able politician whom, in a uniquely irregular fashion, he had crowned as ''[[Augusta (honorific)|Augusta]]'' instead of the rightful claimant to the title, his wife Irene Doukaina. Anna Dalassene's ability to help him seize power and control the aristocracy, as well as her ability to understand and resolve dilemmas, assured Alexius that her mother was a capable counsel and managing partner by his side, and a sane and trusted regent in his absence.<ref>Norwich 1995, p. 59</ref> Alexios was never happier than when taking part in military exercises and he assumed personal command of his troops whenever possible.<ref>Norwich 1996, p. 52.</ref> As such, Dalassene was the effective administrator of the Empire during Alexios' long absences in military campaigns: she was constantly at odds with her daughter-in-law and had assumed total responsibility for the upbringing and education of her granddaughter Anna Komnene.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}

===Succession===
Alexios' last years were also troubled by anxieties over the succession. Although he had crowned his son [[John&nbsp;II Komnenos]] co-emperor at the age of five in 1092, his wife Irene Doukaina wished to alter the succession in favor of their daughter Anna and Anna's husband, [[Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger]].<ref name="Norwich 1995, p. 61">Norwich 1995, p. 61</ref>